Short-Term Rental Regulations in California (CA)
California has a heavy level of short-term rental regulation. Significant restrictions. No statewide STR registration is required. No state-level license is needed. California has no statewide STR law, but many cities have enacted strict regulations. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and others require registration and limit rentals. The California Coastal Act protects STR use in coastal zones. Regulations vary enormously by city.
Full Requirements Summary
California has 0 key regulatory requirements at the state level.
| Requirement | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| STRs Allowed | Yes | Short-term rentals are legal |
| Statewide Law | No | No statewide STR law; local regulation |
| Registration Required | No | No state registration needed |
| License Required | No | No state-level license |
| Primary Residence Only | No | Investment properties allowed |
| Maximum Nights/Year | No limit | No annual night limit at state level |
| Minimum Stay | No minimum | No minimum stay requirement |
| Host Presence Required | No | Un-hosted stays allowed |
| Insurance Required | No | No state insurance mandate |
| Safety Inspection | No | No state-required inspection |
| Platform Tax Collection | No | Host may be responsible for tax remittance |
City-Level STR Regulations in California
Rules diverge across California: San Francisco is the strictest of the 5 cities we track (very heavy), while Palm Springs is the most permissive (moderate).
| City | Restriction Level | Local Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | Very Heavy | Must register with Office of Short-Term Rentals. Primary residence only. Max 90 un-hosted nights/year. $250 annual registration fee. Host must carry liability insurance. Fines up to $1,000/day. |
| Santa Monica | Very Heavy | Only home-sharing allowed (host must be present). No whole-unit vacation rentals. Business license and TOT registration required. Fines up to $2,000/violation. |
| Los Angeles | Heavy | Home-sharing ordinance requires registration. Primary residence only. Max 120 days/year for un-hosted stays. Extended home-sharing permit available. TOT of 14% applies. |
| San Diego | Heavy | Tiered STR license system. Whole-home rentals capped at 1% of housing units per community planning area. Primary residence exemption. TOT of 10.5%. |
| Palm Springs | Moderate | Vacation rental permits available in designated zones. Must be 75+ feet from another STR. Annual permit fee. TOT of 13.5%. Noise monitoring encouraged. |
How California Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of California with five states that have similar STR regulation levels. This helps illustrate where California stands nationally in terms of short-term rental friendliness.
| State | Restriction Level | Registration | License | Night Cap | Platform Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (CA) | Heavy | No | No | No limit | No |
| District of Columbia (DC) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | 90 nights/year | Yes |
| Hawaii (HI) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| Massachusetts (MA) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| New York (NY) | Heavy | Yes | Yes | No limit | Yes |
| Colorado (CO) | Moderate | No | No | No limit | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions About California STR Regulations
Can I legally operate an Airbnb in California?
Yes, short-term rentals are legal in California. No state-level registration is required, though your city may have its own requirements. The state's overall restriction level is heavy.
Does Airbnb collect taxes in California?
California does not have a platform accountability law requiring Airbnb to collect taxes. Hosts may be responsible for registering and remitting their own lodging, sales, or occupancy taxes.
Which city in California has the strictest Airbnb rules?
Among the cities we track, San Francisco has the most restrictive STR regulations in California with a very heavy restriction level. Must register with Office of Short-Term Rentals. Primary residence only. Max 90 un-hosted nights/year. $250 annual registration fee. Host must carry liability insurance. Fines up to $1,000/day.
Check Another State or City
Use our STR regulation lookup tool to find the exact rules for your specific city in California, or browse all 50 states to compare short-term rental friendliness across the country.